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QMI Agency

Apparently one way to become general manager of an NHL franchise is to tell off the owner.

Brian MacLellan did just that during his interview for the Washington Capitals job.

“He led off with some of the things that I have to do to be a better owner,” Ted Leonsis told reporters Tuesday. “I thought he was very brave and very astute, because you don’t want to hear things like that.”

MacLellan has spent the past 13 seasons with the Caps, seven as assistant GM, and no doubt has plenty of knowledge to support his opinions.

“I didn’t think I had anything to lose,” MacLellan said.

Leonsis had intended to go in a different direction and hire outside of the franchise – about 15 people were interviewed – but MacLellan’s honesty separated him from the other candidates.

“I thought that was very, very straightforward and honest and authentic to him,” Leonsis said. “I was very appreciative of that because I obviously need to be a better owner.”

MacLellan preached the needed for consistency at all levels of the organization.

“The important point I was trying to make is that I think the team feels when there’s a disconnect or (when) there’s not a unified philosophy from ownership to manger to coach,” he said.

As NBC’s Pro Hockey Talk put it, it appears MacLellan pulled a George Costanza to get the job.